Pike would take the time to go into why it took that long, but for now it wasn't important, not in the least. That's something to deal with later, over a glass or three of scotch.

Chris gave Jim a kind smile, the one that said everything was going to be okay.

"Believe me I know. She offered to cook my first day back....couldn't do that to myself."

Pike, and to a lesser extent, Jim were the only ones allowed to tease her about anything, and Number One hoped they both knew it.